The U.S. House passes a 2026 farm bill draft expanding agribusiness support, blocking state animal laws, and boosting exports, amid partisan criticism over costs and environmental concerns.

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee released the draft Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, an 802-page, five-year farm bill that reauthorizes crop insurance, disaster aid, research, and rural broadband programs, with funding extending through 2031. The bill, led by Republican Chairman Glenn Thompson, includes provisions to block state animal welfare laws like California’s Proposition 12, double export promotion funding, transfer the Food for Peace program to USDA, and expand support for specialty crops and rural infrastructure. While praised by agricultural groups for addressing key farm challenges, Democrats criticize it for ignoring input costs, trade tariffs, and domestic market access, and for advancing corporate agribusiness interests over environmental and consumer concerns. Markup begins February 23.